Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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184. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, who has motor neurone disease and who is seeking information regarding the costs of home ventilation in order to prolong their life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17076/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Health if it is the policy of the Health Service Executive to not allow persons to be invasively ventilated while residing at home; the reason for the policy covering this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17132/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Minister for Health the financial cost of having a person invasively ventilated at home; if he will provide a breakdown of those costs; the percentage of said costs covered by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17133/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any circumstances in which the Health Service Executive will allow a person to remain at home while receiving invasive ventilation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17134/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 192 to 194, inclusive, together.

The issuing of home ventilation whether invasive or non-invasive cannot be considered in isolation and whether the patient has access to such treatment is not purely a financial consideration. A proper discharge care plan which is discussed between the hospital consultant team and primary care needs to be agreed and activated. Home ventilation needs appropriate equipment, trained staff and both patient and family education as well as arrangement for upkeep and maintenance of such ventilation equipment. Nurses supervising such patients at home need to be appropriately qualified and competent to supervise the patient clinically.

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the request for specific statistics concerning the provision of home ventilation services has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. In relation to the individual case cited, I have asked the HSE to investigate the circumstances surrounding this case and respond directly to the Deputies as a matter of urgency.